New Chair sought to lead growth and investment agenda

The McLean Partnership has been appointed to find new Chair for South East Midlands Local Enterprise Partnership (SEMLEP)

SEMLEP is a publicly-funded private-public partnership charged with driving long-term sustainable economic growth. Steered by a business-led board, the partnership has a central role in determining local economic priorities and securing investment to support business innovation, promote productivity and job creation.

The organisation is looking for a business leader with high personal credibility, strong diplomatic skills and the ability to forge effective relationships, locally and nationally.

The Chair will be high profile, representing SEMLEP and working with the national network of 38 Local Enterprise Partnerships, to ministers, businesses and investors on national platforms.

The Chair will play a key role advocating for the South East Midlands economy. They will work closely with partners to shape and deliver the long term economic vision for the Oxford-Milton Keynes-Cambridge Arc, and the SEMLEP area at the heart of that national growth area.

This new appointment will be made as Dr Ann Limb CBE DL is stepping down from the Board after seven years as Chair, in February 2019.

Chair of SEMLEP's recruitment panel which is overseeing the appointment, Jean Gowin said: "Ministers have made clear in the outcome of a recent review of LEPs that they see a strengthened role for local enterprise partnerships going forwards with great emphasis on the importance of transparency and accountability in making decisions.

"SEMLEP is recognised by government as a well-performing LEP, our new Chair will support our continued development and our enhanced roles in driving inclusive economic growth across the area."

Hilary Chipping, SEMLEP's Chief Executive added: "This is an incredibly important time for SEMLEP and for our area's economy. Our new Chair will need to be ready to grasp a broad agenda and immediately start to shape the future contribution of SEMLEP.

"In 2019, we will launch and implement our Local Industrial Strategy, strengthen our organisation and prepare to deliver new funding programmes following the end of the current EU-funding arrangements.

"We're looking for a strong business person who can lead our board through this exciting period of unprecedented change and opportunity."

Interested candidates should contact Adam Mahmood at The McLean Partnership for a confidential conversation and more information about the role and selection process via email am@mcleanpartnerships.com or +44 (0)203 597 6422.